The 2018 Le Bout du Clos cuvée from Champagne R.H. Coutier is an exceptional blanc de noirs, made from a plot planted by René Coutier in Ambonnay in 1969-1970. This pure Pinot Noir was vinified with great precision and aged for one year in ceramic amphorae. It is a cuvée that offers elegance and depth.
The production of R.H. Coutier's Le Bout du Clos 2018 champagne
The terroir & the plot
The "Le Bout du Clos" plot benefits from the chalky terroir typical of Ambonnay, ensuring mineral tension and salinity. Planted in 1969-1970, it gives this cuvée remarkable precision and freshness, the hallmarks of local Pinot Noir.
Vinification
Le Bout du Clos 2018 is a wine made exclusively from Pinot Noir from Ambonnay. The plot, planted in the late 1960s, brings structure and complexity. Alcoholic fermentation is natural, with no malolactic fermentation. The wine is aged for 12 months in ceramic amphorae, a choice that favors the expression of the purity and liveliness of the fruit. Bottled in October 2019, the first disgorging took place in February 2025, with an extra-brut dosage of 1.5 g/L.
Tasting notes
Appearance
The color is pale yellow with a slight golden hue, clear and animated by a fine effervescence.
Nose
The aroma is expressive: fresh red fruits, redcurrant, juicy raspberry, with a subtle hint of fine cereals.
Palate
The palate reveals a fine, elegant texture, carried by a saline freshness of chalky origin. The finish is long, tense, and saline, embodying the terroir of Ambonnay.
Serving suggestions
- Thin Parmesan gougères
- Dill shrimp tartare
- Beetroot and fresh goat cheese canapés
- Seared scallops with lemon juice
- Light veal blanquette
- Creamy mushroom risotto
- Vanilla crème brûlée
- Thin pear tart
- Almond financiers
Storing this champagne
The 2018 Le Bout du Clos vintage should be stored horizontally, away from light, at a temperature of between 10 and 12°C, in a stable environment.
Aging potential
It can be kept until 2032, during which time it will develop sophisticated tertiary nuances while retaining its mineral tension.
When to drink
Le Bout du Clos 2018 is an exceptional cuvée, perfect for a refined gastronomic moment, a delicate meal or a tasting among knowledgeable enthusiasts.
Anecdote about this cuvée
Created in 2017 by Antoine Coutier, this cuvée pays tribute to the estate's ancestral vines. Aged in amphorae, it expresses all the depth and purity of Pinot Noir from Ambonnay in a rare and precious cuvée.
